Google is quietly lobbying Nevada lawmakers to allow self-driving cars. The proposed bill would also allow drivers to use cell phones. Efforts come as Google acknowledged it is developing cars that could be safely driven without human intervention.
The World Traffic Safety Symposium honored the Ford Explorer and its rear inflatable seat belts with the 2011 Traffic Safety Achievement Award. The seat belts also won a gold medal at the 2011 Edison Best New Products.
The federal government is converting its fleet of vehicles to more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. The stated goal is to reduce dependence on imported oil. To meet the government's requirement for fuel- efficient vehicles, E85 will be an important part of the strategy. Currently, however, there are not enough E85 fuel pumps nationwide to achieve this target and ethanol producers are not converting enough corn to blend with gasoline.
Used vehicle prices have hit record highs at both the retail and wholesale levels, according to reports from Kelley Blue Book and Manheim. Fuel-efficient vehicles lead the way as gas prices surge upward, however there's lack of used vehicle supply and high demand for both new and used vehicles.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has increased the number of Ford F-150 pickups for review to 2.7 million to investigate reports that leaking fuel caused two fires. No injuries have been reported, and Ford is cooperating with the investigation of the 1997-2001 pickups that has not been named a recall.